Acetylene-gas generator.



Patented lune 27, |899.

C. W. BECK.

ACETYLENE GAS GENEBATDR.

(Application led Oct. 18, 1897.)

(Ilo Iodel.)

"UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES L BECK, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ACETYLENE-GAS G EN ERATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 627,796, dated J une 27, 1899. Application fled October 18, 1897. Serial No. 655.532. No model To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES W. BECK, of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Acetylene-Gas Generators, of which the following is a specilication.

This invention relates to improvements in acetylenegas generators, and refers more specifically to au improved generatorwherein the carbid is fed into a saturating-chamber in graduated quantities and in such manner that the generation ofgas is practically coutinuous.

Among the objects of the invention are to provide improved means foi controlling the conux of gas-generating elements, whereby the rate of generation is kept substantially equal to the rate of consumption and whereby the generation may be arrested almost in'- stantly, thus avoiding waste and at the same' time permitting the generator to be made very compact, to render such control or regulation automatic and dependent upon the consumption of the gas, and to provide an apparatus of generally simpliiied, improved, and more effective construction and one which requires no special skill in order to render its use safe and satisfactory.

The invention consists in the matters hereinafter described, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims, and will be readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 illustratesa preferred embodiment of my invention, the view being taken in axial section and Fig. 2 is a fragmentary detail view in axial section, showinga modified form of the feed mechanism.

Referring to the drawings, the generator is therein shown as desirably made of cylindric forni and as principal outer parts, a main body or fount A, forming the lower part of the generator and the lower portion of which constitutes a saturating-chamber a, an upper part or section A', suitably united with the upper end of the fount, and a removable upper end cap A2, closing the upper end of the generator 'arid through the central part of which projects a burner-nozzle B.

The fouut is shown as provided with an integral and ornamental-shaped lower end wall consisting of three generally? a, the central portion of which is preferably made flat to form a base upon which the generator may stand. At its juncture with the part A' the upper end of the fount is slightly enlarged annularly, so as to form an internal ledge or shoulder a', and the said enlarged part is internally screw-threaded to receive the correspondingly-threaded lower end of the upper section. A packing as is interposed between the lower end margin of the upper part and the shoulder a, so as to insure a gastight joint.

C designates a hopper-shaped carbid-rece tacle arranged to occupy the upper part of the fonnt, said hopper having cylindric sides and being made of slightly-less external di ameter than the internal diameter of the fount, so as to tit. easily within the latter, and havin gat its upperend an externally-threaded rim portion c, which engages with a suitable screw-thread c', formed in the interior of the lower end of the upper section, so that when the latter is removed from the fount the hopper will also be removed therewith.

trolled feed mechanism, the hopper C is provided with a funnel-shaped bottom c, having a central outlet c, with which is connected a short verticallyarranged cylindric chute C'. At its lower end the chute is provided with an outturned rim or made slightly bellmouthed, as indicated at c, this portion forming a valve-seat, with which is adapted to co` operate a conical valve plate or plug D. In order to alord a close lit between the valveplate and its seat, the latter is preferably and as herein shown provided with a surfacing of soft rubber or the like d. The valve D is mounted to reciprocate vertically upon and with a valve-stem D', being to this end provided at its center with a sleeve d,which tits upon the stem and is of suflcient length to rise-some distance above the upper end of the chute, as indicated clearly in the drawings. In order to hold the valve normally uplifted in contact with its seat, a coiled spring (F is interposed between its lower side Aand a nut d3, threaded upon the lower end of the valve-stem, and in order to 'force the valve open positively when the valvefstem has been moved downwardly a certain distance, in a manner hereinafter explained, a stud or tap- To now describe the automatically-con IOO pet d is inserted through said vulve-stein at a point a short distance above the upper cud of the slecvc d' in position to engage the latter. In order that the amount of carbid permitted to escape t-o the satu rating-chamber at any one time may be definitely limited, a cut-o valve D is so mounted upon the valvestem as to control the inlet to said chute, said cut-olf valve being shown as also made conical and arranged with its larger end downward and as being of slightly-larger diameter than the diameter of the chute, so that when lowered by the downward movement of the valve-stem it will completely close the upper end of the chute and rest upon the angle c formed at the juncture of the chute with the bottom of the hopper. This latter valve is also provided with a sleeve d5, which is of sufficient internal diameter to telescope over the upper end of the sleeve d and is of such length as to extend slightly above the level of the top of the hopper when the valve is in its lowermost position, the purpose of both of said sleeves being to prevent the access of pulverulent carbid to the working joints between the valves and "alvestem, as well as to guide and center the valves accurately upon the stem. The sleeve ds is made in two sections, united by a screwthreaded union, in order to facilitate the assembly of the parts, the upper section being reduced at its lower end and threaded into the lower one. In order to impart such movement to the cut-0E valve in the reciprocatory movement of the valve-stem that Athe inlet of the chute will always be closed before the outlet is opened and will remain thus closed until after the outlet has been closed by the return of the lower valve to its seat, lost motion is provided between the valvestem and cut-0E valve as follows: The reduced portion of the upper section of the sleeve ds is so shaped as to form internal annular upper and lower shoulders d'i di, respectively. The stud d4 upon the valve-stem by engagement with the lower shoulder serves to lift the ent-olf valve positively in the upward movement of the valve-stem beyond a certain point, and the downward movement of the said valve, with the valve-stem, until the valve rests upon and closes the upper end of the chute is insured by the action of a coiled spring ds, interposed between the shoulder d and a second stud d, inserted through the valve-stem a short distance below the u pper end of the sleeve d5. It will be obvious that this construction permits the valve-stem to continue its downward movement after the cut-off valve reaches its seat suiciently to open the lower valve, as hereinbefore explained, the spring d being meantime com- In order to guide the valve-stem and valve mounted thereon into accurate engagement with their seats, a spider or guide D is arranged to extend across the chute and is provided at its center with a guide-aperture d, through which the valve-stein reciprocates.

A3 designates a rigid horizontal partition, secured in the upper section A' immediately above the hopper, so as to form a cover for the latter, which prevents the carbid from escaping from the hopper in case the generator should bc overturned or shaken violently. The space immediately above the partition constitutes the gas-chamber of the generator, and in order that the pressure of gas generated may be utilized to operate the valves through the valve-stem means are provided, constructed and arranged as follows: The upper end cap A2 is provided at its periphery with a depending cyliudric flange a* of considerable depth, which is externally threaded and arranged to fit within the corresponding upper end of the generator. At its lower edge said flange is provided with an inturned portion a5, which is adapted to cooperate with au internal annular ledge or shoulder a, formed upon the interior of the generator to clamp and hold the periphery of a flexible and preferably elastic diaphragm E, which divides the upper part of the generator into two compartments, the space below the diaphragm being subject to the internal gaspressure, while the space above the diaphragm is open to atmospheric pressure. .At a. point below the diaphragm the valve-stem is connected, conveniently by means of a screwthreaded union f, with a tube F, which forms, in etect, an extension of said valve-stem and extends upwardly through the diaphragm and out through a suitable aperture iu the upper end cap of the generator, the size of said aperture being such as to permit the tube to reciprocate freely therethrough. Said aperture also serves to place the space above the diaphragm in communication with the atmosphere. Thetube is provided at its lower end, below the diaphragm, with one or more gas-inlets f' and carries at its upper end the burner-nozzle B, hereinbefore referred to, which latter may be of any suitable or preferred construction and which is herein shown as provided with a cock G, whereby the gasduct may be closed or restricted. At apoint immediately below where the tube passes through the diaphragm it is provided with an integral radial flange ft and immediately above this flange with a clamping-disk f. The diaphragm is clamped between said flange and disk and is thus unitedI to the valve-stem, so that the latter is made to move with the diaphragm.

H designates a coiled spring interposed between the clamping-disk upon the upper side of the diaphragm and the upper end cap, so as to tend to force the diaphragm downwardly in position to open the lower valve and to permit the carbid to discharge into fthedsaturatingchamber. In order that the tension of said spring may be adjusted and to afford easy access to the spring and to facilitate the assem- IOS IIO

bling of parts of the generator,the central par't of the upper end cap A2 is made in the form of a secondary screwthreaded cap or closure A, which may be adjusted up or down in its seat a?, and in order that the valvestem may be drawn up and held positively in position to hold the lower valve closed against the seat a collar is mounted loosely upon the tube F, immediately above its part which extends through the closure A, vided with a thumb-screw F', which impiuges against the stem and whereby the latter may be secured in its lifted position.

In order to provide paage for the gas from the saturating-chamber wherein it is generated to the gas-chamber beneath the diaphragm and at the saule time to prevent the liquid from readily passing into the hopper in case the generator is shaken or overturned, the upper end of the hopper is provided upon its interior with an interlining-ring C2, having an out-turned lower edge c, which is secured to the inner wall of the hopper in such manner as to form an open-topped annular chamber ci', which is filled with absorbent filling material, such as felt or the like. The upper edge of the ring C is made flush with the upper edge of the hopper, so that when the latter is in position the cover-plate As closes the annular filtering-chamber. The wall of the hopper opposite said chamber and the inner ring 'each provided with forming the inner wall of said chamber are a plurality of apertures through which the gas finds its way into the upper partof the hopper and thence to the gas-chamber through an opening as in the cover-plate surrounding the valve-sleeve.

In order that the hopper may be replenished when' the fount is removed without removing it from the upper section, it is provided with a tlling aperture C, conveniently located in its side and closed ly a screw-cap C.

The operation ofthe device th us constructed is obvious, but may be briefly described as follows: The collar having been adjusted so as to hold the lower valve closed, the fount is n'nscrewed from the upper part of the generator, the hopper charged with pulverized carbid, and a suitable charge of liquid placed in thefountand the latterreturned to place. The generator is now in readiness for operation and maybe started by unscrewing thethumbnut, whereupon the coiled expausionspring acting upon the diaphragm will force the latterand the connected valve-stem downwardly, opening the lower valve and permitting carbid todischarge intothe liquid. As the valvestem moves downwardly to open the lower valve the cut-od' valve will be carried to its seat, seas to prevent the escape of more carbid into the chute until the cut-olf valve has been again lifted. The pulve'rized carbid falling into the saturating-chamber will rapidly generate gas, which passing into the gaschamber below the diaphragm will force upwardly the latter, thereby closing the lower valve against its seat and shutting olf the tlow which collar is pro.

of carbid. A further upward movement of the diaphragm will raise the cut-off va1ve,so as to allow more carbid from the hopper to take the place of that discharged by the previous opening of the lower valve. As soon as the gas begins to generate the cock will be opened and the gas ignited, it being understood that the rate of generation will be greater than the rate of escape through the burner, so that the diaphragm will be eectively operated without interfering with the operation of the burner.y It will be further understood that inasmuch as the pulverized carbid generates gas very rapidly when saturated it is not likely that the entire quantity contained in the chute in any one charge will be discharged at one time, but that the lower valve will open but slightly and admit but a small quantity of carbid at any one time before the pressure rises suiciently to again close the valve, so that the generation of gas will be practically continuous. The cut-0E valve being thus caused to vibrate up and down in the body of pulverized carbid will act as an agitator to prevent the carbid from packing and to insure its proper tlow into the chute. It will be further obvious that as soon as the cock is turned so as toshut ot the escape of gas the pressure will immediately rise sniiciently to hold the valve closed, and that the additional small quantity-of gas which may be generated after the supply of carbid has been thus cut olf will be amply accommodated n the expansive gas-chamber formed in part by the flexible and elastic diaphragm.

In Fig. 2 I have shown a modied form of the feed mechanism, which may be preferred in some instances, the purpose of this modiied form being to insure that a charge of rbid of considerable quantity shall be discharged together, so that the action of the dia` phragm shall be more pronounced and certain. Referring to the ligure, I designates the valve-stem,upon which is mounted a lower valve I', constructed and operated substantially like that hereinbefore described, with the exception that instead of being forced downwardly by a stud or shoulder upon the valve-stem in the down ward movement of the latter it is acted upon byan expansion-spring i, surrounding the valve-stem and interposed between the upper end of the valve -sleeve and an annular shoulder i', ormed upon the interior of the upper or cut-ot member I. This latter member is in the present instance txed rigidly upon the valvesteln by means of a pin t?, which is inserted through the contracted upper end of the sleeve thereof and through the valve-stem. J J designate a pair of plate-springs secured upon the exterior of the chute near the upper end thereof, asindicated at j', arranged to extend vertically downward and provided near their lower ends with inwardly-projecting angles j, which are adapted to hook beneath and eu the lower valve, so as to tend to hold the latter from opening, the portions of the springs bel5 'it a considerable distance, and thus discharge' d low the'angles being arranged to diverge, so

astoform guides which will direct the springs into proper engagementwith the edge of the valve as the latter is carried' to its sea-t. The operation of the construction thus described is the same'as that of the previously-described device, except that in this instance the lower valve will not open until the pressure of the l spring acting upon the diaphragm and transmitted to the sleeve ofthe lower valve th ron gh the expansion springl 1' is sufiicieut to overcome the frictional engagement ofthe hookshaped' springs J; but upon'the release of these springs thetension of the spring i will force the valve' down suddenly, so as toopcn as the cut-olf member `contacts with the up` perend of the chute. y

While I have herein shown and described Awhat I deem to be preferred constructions,

yet I do not wish'to be understood as'limiting myself .to the recise details illustrated except as specifica ly claimed.

I claim as my invention- 1. A feed mechanism for feeding pulverulent carbid and the like comprising a chute,

a valve arranged to control the outlet of the chute, a cut-oi arranged to control the inlet to the chute, :and vinterconnected means cperated by the pressure of 'gas generated from Athe carbid'discharged for automatically mov ing said controlling members independently of eachother whereby the inlet to the chute will be maintained closed at all times while its outlet is' open aud'will be opened to admit carbid while the outlet is closed.

2. In a gas-generator, means for feeding pulverulent carbid comprising a carbid-re ceptacle,a'chute or charge chamber communicating with said carbid-receptacle, a valveteni arrangedto extend longitudinally within said chute, a/pair of valves movably mounted upon said stem and arrafged t0 control theA inlet and outlet ends of the chute, and means for moving said valves independently of each other whereby lthe .inlet to the-chute will be` maintained closed at all times while its outlet is open but will be open to admit carbid to the chute when the outlet is closed.

' 3. In a gasgenerator, means for feeding pulverulent carbid comprising a'carb'rd-re- 'ceptacle, a chute orcharge chamber communicating with said carbid-receptacle, a valvestem arranged. to reciprocate longitudinally withinlsaid'chute, a. pair of valves movably mounted upon said stem and arranged to control thc inlet and outlet ends of the chute,

spring connections between each of said valves and the valve-stem whereby the latter is permitted to move 1in either direction be yond the position in which the valves 4engage their respective` seats, andmeans for operat ing said valve-stem comprising a movable ated from th'ecarbd discharged.

4. In a gas-generator, means for feeding puiverulent carbid comprising a carbid-receptacl'e, a chute or charge chamber communicating with said receptacle, a valve-stem arranged to reciprocate longitudinally within said chute, a pair of oppositely-seatin g valves c movably mounted upon said 'stem and arranged to co'utrol the inlet and outlet ends of tbechute, spring connections between each of said valves and the valve-stem vwhereby the latter is permitted to move in either direction beyond the position in which the valves'en'- gage their respective seats, and a stop upon and move them positively away from their respective seats. y

5. In a gas-generator, means for feeding pulvernient carbid, comprising a carbid-receptacle, a chute or charge chamber communicating with said receptacle, a valve-stem arranged to reciprocate longitudinally within said chute, a pair of conicalV oppositely-seating valve-plates movably mounted upon said stem and arranged to control the vinletand outlet ends of the chute, each caf-"said valves being provided with a sleeve inclosinf'g the valvestem and the end of the sleeve of one valve being arranged to telescope within the -sleeve of the other valve, spring connections between each of said valves and the'valvelstem whereby the latter is permitted to move in either directionbeyond the position in which the valves engage their respective seats, and a stop. upon the valve-stem adapted to engage the valves and move them positively away from their respective. seats.

6. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination' with a fount the lower vportion of which forms a saturating-cliamber and the upperportion of which is occupied by a carbid-receptacle having a valve-controlled, liquid-tight outlet leading from the `carbid-receptacle to the saturating-chamber, of means for permitting the passage of gas from the saturating-chamber to the carbid-'receptacle while the carbid-outlet is closed comprising a filtering-chamber arranged in the wall of said carbid-receptacle and filled with absorbent material and a plurality of minute'apertures in theopposite walls of said lteringchamber permitting the gas to pass from the satura( and into the carbid-receptacle.

7. -A feed mechanism for feeding pulverulent carbid and the like, comprising a feed the outlet of said duct, sigas-chamber, a movable member operabie by pressureof gas gens erated1 means whereby the movement of said movable member operates theclosure, and a deteut arranged to closure.

member subject to the pressure of gas generthe valve-stem adapted to engage the valves ing-chamber through the filtering-chamber duct or chute, a closure arranged to control" retard the opening of the roo rzo

8. A feed mechanism ror Ieeding pnlverulent carbid and the like,comprising a feed duct or chute, a closure arranged to control the outlet of said duct, a gas-chamber, a movable member operable by pressure of gas generated, a spring arranged to act in opposition to the movementof the movable member under gas-pressure, means whereby the movement of said movable member operates the closure, and a detent arranged to retard the opening of the closure.

9. In an acetylene-generator, the combination of a saturating-eham'ber, a carbid-receptacle provided with an outletl leading to the saturatng-chamber, a valve controlling said outlet, a movable member subject to, and adapted to be actuated by, pressure of the gas generated, operative connections between the valve and movable member whereby the valve is operated by the movable member, and a yieldable detent arranged to engage the valve when in closed position to hold the latter closed until the opening force has increased suciently to overcome the detent and cause the valve to open suddenly.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I aix my signature, in presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 16th day of October, A. D. 1897.

CHARLES W. BECK.

Witnesses:

ALBERT H. GRAVES, J. B. HALPENNY. 

